HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.08.01.02 SSQ Transmission Upgrade Pitch Sheet (Final)SSQ TRANSMISSION
UPGRADE
Enhancing Railbelt Capacity and Resilience
Ownership: AEA Owned
Status: Constuction
Capacity: 230kV (Currently
operating at 115kV)
Length: 39 miles
Right of Way (ROW): Utilizing
existing SSQ ROW
Construction: 2024-2028
Cost: $90 Million
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Sterling Substation to Quartz Creek (SSQ) Substation transmission line plays a
vital role in Alaska’s Railbelt electric grid, which serves over 75 percent of the state’s
population. About 87 percent of the energy from Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project
(Bradley Lake) crosses this section going to the central and northern utilities. The
115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line is 50 years old and will require replacement as
many of the support structures are approaching the end of their useful life. This
section represents some of the highest line loss per mile of Bradley Lake energy. The
upgrade will size the conductor, insulators, and poles/towers to 230 kV standards. The
route will also be installed with fiber-optic communication lines. (Continued on back)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Benefits
Reduced line losses
Greater secure communication and
control of system
Increased resilience to wildfires and
other unplanned events
Opportunities
Allows for development of new
renewable energy projects on the
Kenai Peninsula by eliminating
capacity constraints along Railbelt
Additional capacity for increasing
energy during peak periods
DRAFT
August 1, 2024
Status Update
Project 1: Design complete and bid is underway. Construction award anticipated
in the third quarter of 2024.
Project 2-4: Design and environmental work underwary. Bid will take another year.
FISCAL YEAR FUNDING SOURCE
2024 25.00
2025 2.00
2026 30.00
2027 30.00
2028 3.00
Total 90.00
FUNDING PLAN ($MILLIONS)
Total Project Costs: $90 million (secured)
Secured Sources of Funding: $90 million AEA bonds (existing)
Once all transmission lines have been upgraded from Anchorage to Soldotna
then transformers will be upgraded to 230 kV and the line will operate at 230
kV. Because of constraints on how long the transmission line can be out-of-
service and the various land ownerships the line crosses, the effort has been
divided into four projects, each with an independent utility. The projects are as
follows:
Project 1: Sterling Substation to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (8 miles)
Project 2: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (17 miles)
Project 3: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Chugach National Forest to
Cooper Creek (9 miles)
Project 4: Cooper Creek to Quartz Creek Substation (5 miles)
The project schedule is based on outage constraints, permitting, and seasonal
construction. The project’s schedule is subject to change based the above criteria.
The majority of work is over wetlands and can only occur during the late winter
months. Outages cannot occur concurrently with other transmission projects
because that would island communities from power and prevent Bradley power
from moving north during critical periods.
Projects 1 through 4 are shown above from left to right.
813 W Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
Project 1
Q1 2025
PROJECT OVERVIEW (CONT)
www.akenergyauthority.org
info@akenergyauthority.org
T: (907) 771-3000
F: (907) 771-3000
Project 2
Q1 2027
Project 3
Q1 2028
SCHEDULE
Project 4
Q1 2025